The volunteer led Community Defibrillators for Rossendale group are delighted that Lancashire County Council have kindly Hosted the most recent cPAD box to become available to the public of Haslingden.

The unit was installed on the outside wall of the Library on Higher Deardengate three weeks ago, and houses a fully Automated External Defibrillator (AED), which can be accessed by a member of the public in the event of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in the street or surrounding area.

Community Defibrillators for Rossendale Co-ordinator, Dawn Taylor said, “We would like to thank those people who so generously contributed to this cPAD unit, Rossendale Round Table and Rossendale Rotary Clubs, Bill Page of Helmshore Farmer’s Market and the people of Haslingden and Helmshore all of whom have enabled the purchase of this life saving equipment. Our thanks also to Lancashire County Council Library for kindly agreeing to host the unit in this central location. We continue to raise funds to purchase further units to be located around the Valley.”

Community Public Access Defibrillator or cPAD boxes are highly visible units to enable the most rapid deployment of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in a cardiac arrest emergency. Anyone dialling for an ambulance with an incident of cardiac arrest within the vicinity of a cPAD unit, would be advised that a portable defibrillator, especially designed for people with no medical background, is available to assist the victim. The secure, vandal resistant box is opened on a key-pad code, which would be supplied to the caller by Ambulance Control.

A defibrillator delivers an electrical current through the chest, which aims to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm allowing it to pump again. Rapid response using automated technology can significantly improve the quality of life of a survivor. When applied to the victim, voice commands and screen messages will guide the user step-by-step through the process and its intelligent technology will only allow it to shock a ‘shockable’ heart rhythm. AED technology opens a window for the public to take on a key role to support emergency services. It is important to be assured that the defibrillator will not shock someone who does not need defibrillating – it cannot deliver a shock to someone who is just unconscious and is still breathing.

Rossendale Community First Responders, are delivering free, 2 hour familiarisation sessions to members of the public who wish to find out how the defibrillators work and to give them the confidence to use one should the need arise. The sessions also include CPR training.  If you would like to take part in the training, please contact Dawn on 07812 303856.

Pictured with the new cPAD unit and Defibrillator are L-R:

Stuart McDougall, President of Rossendale Rotary Club; Bill Page, Manger of Helmshore Farmer’s Market; Nicola Walmsley, Frontline Library Officer; Sarah Holt, NWAS Emergency Medical Technician II; Richie Watts, Chairman, Defibs for Haslingden Group; Paul Metcalfe, Vice Chairman Rossendale Round Table; Andrew Walmsley, Chairman of Defibs for Rossendale.